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What Is Gin?
Gin is a clear, distilled spirit made from fermented grains. Unlike other clear spirits, such as vodka or tequila, gin is infused with botanicals to create its signature botanical flavor.
Gin is always infused with juniper berries, which impart a distinct pine flavor, but other botanicals may be added as well. The name “gin” stems from the French word genièvre, meaning “juniper.”
When shopping for gin, you should be aware of these three main varieties:
- London Dry Gin: is the most common type of gin. It’s very dry, but beautifully aromatic and tastes strongly of juniper.
- Plymouth Gin: is lighter than London Dry Gin and is more citrus-forward in flavor.
- Old Tom Gin: is the sweetest of the three since simple syrup is added to it. It’s typically reserved for making Tom Collins cocktails.
A word of caution: don’t buy the cheapest gin at your local liquor store! You want a quality gin with a good botanical flavor. Popular brands of quality gin include: Bombay, Beefeater, Hendrick’s, and Tanqueray.
